In an effort to increase lending opportunities in Duval and Surrounding Counties

Jacksonville, Fla. – The North Florida District Office hosted a training opportunity on June 5, 2013 for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs interested in obtaining financing ranging from $500 to $50,000. Technical Assistance regarding the steps to obtain a loan and Microlender requirements was presented by Gustavo Perez of Accion USA.

Accion USA is a certified Microlender with the U.S. Small Business Administration that does lending throughout the State of Florida. Accion USA has guaranteed 48 loans with over $439,000 in the State of Florida in Fiscal Year 2013. For more information on Accion USA, please visit www.accionusa.org.

The training session was attended by nearly 50 individuals comprised of small business owners, veterans, and several non-profit groups. The event was also attended by Janice Donaldson, Regional Director for the Small Business Development Center at the University of North Florida, Betzy Santiago, Special Assistant to Mayor Alvin Brown, and Joe Whitaker, Jacksonville Office of Economic Development.

The SBA entered into a Strategic Alliance Memorandum with the City of Jacksonville in 2012 in an effort to increase microlending opportunities for residents in Duval County and the surrounding areas. The SBA has also recently partnered with the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF) to provide microloans specifically in Duval County. For more information on the BBIF, please visit www.bbif.com.

Wilfredo J. Gonzalez, SBA North Florida District Director stated “Microlending is an important component of what we do at the SBA because it is an opportunity to finance business owners who may not have any other options. Increasing access to capital is a priority for my office, as well as for Mayor Brown. We are working together to make sure that small business owners in this area have enough support to contribute to the local economy.”

“I’m proud of these efforts to increase access to capital and credit for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business people,” said Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown. “We are working hard from many angles so that the very best ideas of today can become the storefronts, services and job-creators of tomorrow.”

SBA’s participation in this activity is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of any participant or other person or entity. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.